Parents Fight Back Against Possible School Boundary Changes
PARKLAND (CBSMiami) -- Parents in Broward County are frustrated over proposed changes to school boundary lines that could have children being bussed farther away.
The parents said the children would be taken from Parkland to schools miles away in east Broward, in Pompano Beach or Deerfield Beach, the Sun-Sentinel reported.
"They would have to drive an hour, get up at the crack of dawn," said parent Dixie Williams. "My son has gone to Heron Heights since kindergarten. The proposed boundary changes would affect the value of my home," added parent Brad Levitan.
Broward School Board member Abby Freedman proposed the changes because of a concern for overcrowding.
The changes would affect Parkland children who will live in developments known as the "Wedge," a formerly unincorporated area now part of the city.
In her proposal, Freedman wants to reassign children now assigned to Parkland's Westglades Middle to go to Forest Glen Middle in Coral Springs and another portion to Deerfield Beach Middle. Other proposals include sending "Wedge" children to the under-enrolled Deerfield Park Elementary and to Blanche Ely High School in Pompano Beach.
Residents have rallied against the proposal and some builders have said potential buyers have reconsidered moving to the community because of the possible changes.
"There just aren't enough seats. Where are all these children going?" Freedman said to the paper.
Freedman invited parents to a meeting to voice their concerns Monday night.
Meanwhile, Parkland Mayor Michael Udine is trying to offer the School Board millions of dollars that the city has on reserve from developer contributions to build additional classrooms on existing Parkland schools. He said Friday that School Board staff members "advised that they would be agreeable," but said Freedman has not responded to his email.
"The proposal by Abby Freedman is outrageous and completely divisive," Udine said to the paper.
The Sun Sentinel contributed to this report.
